ENGLAND have announced their starting xv to play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick has made some bold selections for their Six Nations opener.
Twins Tom and Ben Curry start in back row for the visitors in Saturday’s clash at Aviva Stadium.
The brothers join number eight Ben Earl to form a back row, with Cadan Murley set for his debut on the left wing, chosen ahead of Ollie Sleightholme.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie returns to the starting lineup after two years, while Maro Itoje captains England for the first time.
While Alex Mitchell gets the call at scrum-half despite a recent injury concern.
Borthwick has opted for a six-two bench split, includingOllie Chessum, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Tom Willis.
England haven’t beaten Ireland in Dublin since 2019.
Meanwhile, Ireland have dismissed any injury concern over Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast ahead of their clash against England.
The number ten carried heavy strapping on his left leg on Monday afternoon at their training camp in Portugal.
And speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Steve Borthwick’s side in the Algarve, Ireland back’s coach Andrew Goodman dismissed any fears that Prendergast wouldn’t be fit for the huge clash before revealing the injury.
He said: “Yeah, he trained fully today, just a little dead leg I believe. I’m sure he’ll be alright.
“It’s been a great couple of months for Sam, just the game experience he’s managed to gather up both with Ireland – first with Emerging Ireland, then Ireland.
“Then some big Champions Cup games away to La Rochelle, home to Bath, so it’s been a great period for him to get real game experience.
“I know he valued the time at Leinster when he was training alongside the senior squad as an academy member but to get out there and feel it for himself, there’s been huge growth in his game.”
ENGLAND STARTING XV
England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, B Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith
